cruise control without VSS?

[blubuckaroo]

Is there a cruise control kit that uses the ignition input for speed rather than a vehicle speed sensor or magnet arrangement?

 

[RustyShackelfor]

more info needed on your setup

 

[blubuckaroo]

I don't have a cruise control yet. I've just noticed that the BC as well as other kits need a VSS unit to tell the controller how fast the car is traveling. I was wondering why I couldn't use engine spped instead since I'm using a manual transmission. Oh yea, it's carbed.

 

[bmc69]

Look around and see if you can find one of the old Dana aftermarket units. They used a tachogenerator that simply inserted in to yr speedo cable..and a control head that replaced your existing turn signal swithc extension lever or clamped on to it.

 

[Steve83]

All cruise requires some type of VSS. None use ignition because there are too many vehicles with automatics, and because the ignition system could damage the cruise module, or the cruise could interfere with the ignition.

Fortunately, it's VERY cheap & easy to add a VSS to an eB. This is a common Ford VSS (used from the mid-80s to the late 90s) and speedo cable from an '88 F150:



Unfortunately, the stock cruise system that works with that kind of VSS sucks, literally. It's vacuum-operated, and although functional, doesn't have any extra features, and is prone to problems.



To use the better electronic servo with 1-mile-per-touch speed adjustment, you need a rear axle with an ABS sensor. An Explorer/Mountaineer with disks is a good swap, but some people have successfully added it to a 9".

 

[Scoop]

Look around and see if you can find one of the old Dana aftermarket units. They used a tachogenerator that simply inserted in to yr speedo cable..and a control head that replaced your existing turn signal swithc extension lever or clamped on to it.

Bill, remember the older Dana units? You actually effectively made a tachogenerator by glueing and taping 2 magnets on the rear driveshaft and mounting a pickup close by. Actually worked well. I had one on a 69 years ago.

Dana sold their cruise control desgin to Rostra. They still make an updated version based on the Dana design.

Rostra

 

[snipi]

has anyone found or used a rostra kit for an eb im really interested in it i already have a throtle cable swapped in so thats not a prob.

 

[blubuckaroo]

All cruise requires some type of VSS. None use ignition because there are too many vehicles with automatics, and because the ignition system could damage the cruise module, or the cruise could interfere with the ignition.

Fortunately, it's VERY cheap & easy to add a VSS to an eB. This is a common Ford VSS (used from the mid-80s to the late 90s) and speedo cable from an '88 F150:



Unfortunately, the stock cruise system that works with that kind of VSS sucks, literally. It's vacuum-operated, and although functional, doesn't have any extra features, and is prone to problems.



To use the better electronic servo with 1-mile-per-touch speed adjustment, you need a rear axle with an ABS sensor. An Explorer/Mountaineer with disks is a good swap, but some people have successfully added it to a 9".

Thanks Steeve,
Do i have to use the later speedo cable to connect the VSS? Will the newer speedo cable connect properly to the old Bronco's sheedo head?

 

[Steve83]

Do i have to use the later speedo cable to connect the VSS?

I think that's why I put the later cable on Frank's, but you might be able to make the old one work.

Will the newer speedo cable connect properly to the old Bronco's sheedo head?

No, and Frank has to reach under the dash every few years to push the cable back onto the speedo. That's with daily driving - he doesn't own another vehicle. So yours should go decades between slipping off; longer if you put a zip-tie somewhere on it to keep it from working back thru the firewall (maybe I'll do that to his one of these days...).

I just ran across this diagram:



I've never seen that style of VSS, but it must exist somewhere.